For many of us, the urge to do a deep clean comes on in the spring. We’re eager to clear away the blahs of winter and start with a fresh, clean slate. But why wait? When the temperatures are colder, and maybe it’s a little too windy, rainy, snowy, or icy to head outdoors, put some elbow grease into doing a thorough cleaning. You’re spending more time inside, and removing strapped, stagnant dirty air will certainly help you breathe a big sigh of relief.
Here are our top winter cleaning tips:
- Change Your HVAC Filters
Anyone else guilty of forgetting these filters even exist? It’s an easy task to neglect, but an important one to check off your list when it comes to cleaner air and energy efficiency. Change your furnace filters at least once every three months (more often if you have pets).
It is also important to have your furnace serviced: those that burn oil should be cleaned yearly, and those that burn propane can get by with once every two to three years. Fall is really the best time to do this so it’s clean and serviced before cold weather really kicks in. But if you have not done so yet, no time like the present!
- Clean Your Chimney
There’s nothing cozier than a fire burning in your wood stove or fireplace. Make sure your home and family are as safe as possible: clean your chimney to reduce the risk of fire. A professional chimney sweep makes quick work of it, but if you do it yourself, be sure to cover the surfaces of the room with drop cloths to avoid dust, ash, and debris falling onto furniture and other items.
- Remove Dryer Lint Buildup
When lint builds up in your dryer vents, it becomes a significant fire hazard. Pull your dryer away from the wall and disconnect the back pipe. Remove lint and clean the outlet hole and pipe. You can use a dryer vent snake or vacuum to remove lint from the vents. After you’ve done this, run the dryer to flush out loose lint that remains.
Show the kitchen some love:
- Clean the Refrigerator Coils
This is another easy task that often gets forgotten, but dirty, dusty refrigerator coils can increase your electric bill by $5 - $10 a month. To save a bit of money, unplug your fridge, gently move it away from the wall, and locate the coils (on the back or bottom). Vacuum up all the debris that manages to find its way behind there, and then use condenser coil brush or special vacuum attachment to remove dirt and dust from the coils. Finish up by using a damp cloth to remove any other gunk.
- Degrease the Oven
If you have a self-cleaning oven, set the cycle and prepare yourself for some smoke. This method uses high heat to burn leftover food from your oven, which can result in a smoky room - and tripped fire alarms. Plan on staying home while the cycle runs (you can open windows to help).
Another option is to make your own non-toxic oven cleaner. Try making a paste with baking soda and water; apply it to the oven and leave it overnight (or at least several hours). Wipe as much of the dried paste off as you can, and then use a little water to wipe out more. Next, spray the oven with vinegar. This will react to the baking soda and create some bubbly magic. Simply wipe away, and you’re done. If you have a more stubborn mess to deal with, you may have to scrub a little. The benefit here is not only a clean oven but no exposure to those awful fumes from chemical cleaners.
- Time for a Kitchen Deep Clean
Put on some good music, and get to it!
- Wipe down cabinets and clean out the junk drawer.
- Sort through your dishes and see what you can donate.
- If you have orphan Tupperware or lids, recycle them to clear the clutter.
- Replace drawer liners.
- Degrease your kickboards and backsplash.
- Clean and organize the refrigerator and freezer.
- Flush out your sink drains. White white vinegar or baking soda through your drains with hot water. You can also add a bit of lemon juice for a fresh scent.
Go whole-house:
- Clear the Clutter
Most of us have a habit of accumulating “stuff” as we go through life! But more clutter = more dust and more stress! Finding items like your car keys, for example, can be a nightmare if you have to wade through piles of mail, takeout menus, school permission slips, etc. Start with one room at a time: take some time to see what you really need. If you haven’t used an item within the past 3-6 months, odds are you don’t really need it. Donate it. It’s a nice feeling to rid yourself of clutter.
If you’re finding it overwhelming to get your home into shape, tackle it one room at a time - or even one task at a time. You can also call us! Greenlife offers professional cleaning services in the Asheville, North Carolina area. From routine tasks to deep cleaning, we are happy to help you get your entire cleaning to-do list done!